He's 7 1/2 feet tall. A New Guinea Oratory Stool. The spirit sits in the stool and the witness or speaker stands near it or touching it while speaking as the spirit bears witness, striking them dead if they should lie. Guessed age, 40 years. width, 23 inches. Shell and crocodile tooth insets.

The Mai Kai is what has inspired me to get this and to look at more native carvings and artifacts.

Hala Kahiki is awesome, but it's 1960's Americana and it has that tiki cheesey side to it. Most of all the tiki bars are that way. And we revel in that Americanized Polynesia.

But the Mai Kai is full of the islands' authentic articles. The real islands. That's more of a beachcomber/travelers style. Instead of the flotsom and the carvings of inspired Americans, I wanted to get some real islands stuff in Shangri-La.

I plan to buy a lot more. I get to go pick this guy up this weekend and see what is likely a warehouse full. Maybe I'll bring more back with me! Save some shipping.
_________________Announcing Swank Pad and Crazy Al's Molokai Maiden!

Yeah Swanky, I was describing one of Gecko's panel carvings of the God of Fertility to a guest at my party a couple weeks ago and as I was pointing to it I explained that the penis was a standard part of these types of carvings. He looks at his wife and says "Hey honey look at the penis" She blurts out, "Does it work?" and walks around to get a better view. I'm thinkin' HOLY MOLY I'm going to have a problem here. Jeez peepo, these things are pretty standard for primitive cultures, no reason to get excited. Easy does it girls. (They were both non TCer's btw)